Mini-golf brings in big donations

Fifty-three three-person teams paid $150 each to participate in the 13th annual event, which raises money for the Bartlett Regional Hospital Foundation and the Armed Services YMCA. There also were various auctions in conjunction with the miniature golf competition.

The tournament is named after a former state senator, who died in 1991.

The proceeds this year set a record, according to Matt Gill, a staffer in the office of Rep. Eldon Mulder, whose office has coordinated the event.

The par-21 hole was set up on the second floor of the Capitol, where the House and Senate chambers are located.

The winning team, with a combined score of 49, was Empire Publisher Don Smith and wife Janet, and Empire Business Manager Mel Cheek. Janet Smith also tied with Elizabeth Stevens, wife of Sen. Ben Stevens, for the best individual score, 14. James Matteucci, a lobbyist from Washington state, had the best individual score among men, 15.